H4 to F1 Visa (no stamping) to OPT (working on EAD) to Travel outside USA

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road2gcgc

New Member
Hello There -
I am on OPT with a valid EAD (til June 2015) currently working. Prior to this I was on H4 visa converted to F1 visa. However, I don't have a F1 visa stamp on my passport. I only have a H4 visa stamp (till Dec 2016). That said, I'm planning to go on a cruise to a neighboring island (Bahamas) for 2 days. I would like to know if I will have issues during reentry to the US at Port of Entry? I have a I20, Passport, EAD card and job offer letter.

Thanks
Skate
 
It should be okay, because under automatic revalidation, you don't need a visa to re-enter after a trip of less than 30 days to a neighboring island (in the case of F1 status).
 
Just to be clear - I DO NOT have a visa stamp of F1 visa in my passport. All I have is a H4 stamping (Jun 2016), which is no longer valid. Basically, I do NOT have a valid visa stamp in my passport. Are you saying that in Automatic re validation. the passport is not even checked?
 
road2gcgc said:
Just to be clear - I DO NOT have a visa stamp of F1 visa in my passport. All I have is a H4 stamping (Jun 2016), which is no longer valid. Basically, I do NOT have a valid visa stamp in my passport. Are you saying that in Automatic re validation. the passport is not even checked?
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Yes. Automatic revalidation means you don't need a valid visa. As long as your I-94 is valid (and an I-94 for F1 is admitted for D/S which means as long as you are in student status, it's valid), you can come back and resume your old I-94 duration of stay. They will pretend that you have a valid visa of the same type as your current I-94 status.
 
Thanks to newacct.. After further reading the CBP bulletin on Automatic revalidation here (http://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/auto_reva_3.pdf) it means I can go out of US to a neigboring island and return within 30 days as long as these are satisfied -
F and J nonimmigrants:
• Readmission from contiguous territory or adjacent islands (except Cuba)
• Readmission after an absence not exceeding 30 days
• In possession of Form I-94 endorsed to show an unexpired period of initial admission or extension of stay or in possession of the Certificate of Eligibility Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) I-20AB or SEVIS DS-2029
• In possession of a valid passport, unless exempt
• Does not require authorization for admission under the INA 212(d)(3)
• Has not applied for a new visa while abroad
• Has maintained and intends to resume nonimmigrant status

In addition my I94 says D/s (Duration of Status) and as long as I maintain that by being employed I should be fine.. http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/general/visa-expiration-date.html#2

I think I am going to book my cruise.. I will share my experience in December this year..
 
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